Luke 21:1-4

And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

This passage speaks of a poor widow and her offering which is exalted by the Lord Jesus Christ. This passage is recorded twice in the Bible. The other place where we see this is in Mark 12:41-44. This is recorded in gospels to explain the importance of contributing whole-heartedly to the gospel ministry. There were many that were casting their offerings for the Lord’s work that day. Jesus was observing the many rich men that had cast their offerings into the treasury and also a certain poor widow. What is to be noted is the fact that this widow was not just a widow but a poor one. She was suffering from the loss of her husband and was casting this offering in her penury. She just had cast in her two mites. Immediately the Lord God applauded her offering and He did it for a reason. Let us see it.

This poor widow had cast all that she had. She just had two mites and what made her offer completely is her hope and faith in the Lord God as Jehovah Jireh. She trusted whole heartedly that Lord from His abundance will supply all that she needed. She did not worry about her tomorrow for she knew that the Lord can take care of her tomorrow much more than she could. Matthew 6:34 says, “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” This widow had absolute faith in the Lord God and this faith is the same as Abraham’s when he was ready to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice to God. Genesis 22:14 says, “And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.” This woman was sacrificing wholly before the Lord not keeping a part for her because she knew that the Lord could change her situation for better. She thought it was her reasonable service.

Jesus Christ had noticed her offering that she offered secretly and commended her publicly. “And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.” The offerings offered in secret, are seen by God secretly but He will reward us openly as it says Matthew 6:4. “That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.” All the rich men that were offering had cast into the offering from their abundance but this woman had cast all the living that she had. This woman’s sacrifice was acceptable to God because she was offering herself as a living sacrifice as it says in Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”.

Offering to God is a wonderful sacrifice that needs to done wholeheartedly without grumbling just like the woman did. Our offerings should be done without reluctance for it is all for the glory of God. They are meant for spreading the gospel, supporting the needy, releasing the captives, healing the sick, helping the widows and the orphans and many more such important causes. Matthew 25:40 says, “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” May the Lord God help us all to offer wholeheartedly for prospering His kingdom!

Tomorrow: The Widow at Zarephath – Part I